Sewing is a craft that involves fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with the help of a sewing needle and thread. It has evolved throughout time but remains an essential do-it-yourself activity or hobby. You can learn more about the history of sewing here.
Do you need a sewing machine?
There are several do-it-yourself projects that require a bit of sewing, but that does not mean that you require a sewing machine to achieve them. Most sewing machines can do different types of stitches, but not all of them. A lot can be done by hand, with hand sewing stitches and even with basic sewing stitches.
Something that can help you get organized is to first set up your sewing room. This will help you gather the different tools and materials for your projects. At first, you will need a needle, thread, and scissors.
Then it is recommended to know which kind of sewing you would like to start with. For example, embroidery is a beautiful art, but it can count up to 300 stitches! This does not mean that you have to learn all the different types of hand stitches, but knowing what you want to do and learn will make better use of your time in the beginning.
There are 6 basic hand sewing stitches that we recommend you to start with.
Different types of hand sewing stitches
Learning how to sew can be tricky because it is a manual activity, and it is very helpful to have a visual example to reproduce a stitch. We strongly recommend you look out for the types of hand stitches with pictures later when you start your project.
Here we will go through the basic sewing stitches and their specific hand sewing techniques. Much can be done by hand, you can sew a myriad of projects for home decor, sew something back together and more.
Slip Stitch or Ladder Stitch
What is this stitch for? This stitch is perfect for closing up a handmade pillow. It’s invisible, which makes it great for finishing hems. Use a thread that matches your fabric and all you’ll see is a tiny amount of ticking.
How to do it?
1. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Bring the needle out through the fabric from the inside of the fold of the hem so that your end knot stays hidden.
2. Position the needle directly across from the exit point of the first stitch so that it goes back through to the inside of the opposite fold. The point is to bring the two sides of the fabric together at exactly the same points on each side to hide the stitch.
3. To progress, move your needle a 1/8 of an inch or so forward, and bring it back up along that same side.
4. Pull the thread through that stitch and move the needle across to the other side of the fabric, entering at the exact same point you did on the other side.
5. Pull the thread through and repeat step 4, moving to the opposite side of the fabric.
6. Once you’ve closed the gap, the thread closing your seam will resemble the rungs of a ladder.
7. To make the stitch invisible, pull the tail of your thread taut, while smoothing out your seam.
Remember to always use a matching thread to make your stitch truly invisible!
Running Stitch
What is this stitch used for? When sewn in longer lengths, this stitch can be used as a basting stitch to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric in place. If you need a stronger seam, stitch shorter stitches.
How is it done?
1. Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Bring the needle out through the fabric from the backside, so the end knot stays hidden.
2. Move ahead a 1/2 inch or so, and push the needle back down through to the backside of the fabric.
3. Continuing in a straight line, move the needle ahead another 1/2 inch and bring it back up through the back to the top of the fabric.
4. Continue steps 1-3, keeping the stitches equally spaced until your fabrics are joined along the seam. When finished, the stitch will look like a long line of dashes.
Catch stitch
1. If possible, press your fabric before you start, it will be much easier to work with. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Working from the left side of the fabric, send your needle through to the top from the underside of your hem to hide the end knot.
2. Pull the thread through and bring it just up over your hem to the top section, and to the right about 1/8 of an inch.
3. Place the needle in the fabric, pointing back towards the left. Send it under the fabric about 1/8 of an inch, and bring it back out through the top layer.
4. Direct the needle back down towards the bottom section, crossing over the last stitch in a downward diagonal.
5. Point the needle towards the right side of the fabric and send it through 1/8 of an inch of fabric on the lower section. Pull the thread taut to reveal your first stitch.
6. Continue the steps until your seam has been completely stitched, following the zigzag motion, working from the left side of your fabric to the right.
Blanket stitch
1. Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Send the needle up by starting it in a middle layer of fabric. This will hide your end knot.
2. Pull the thread taut, and circle back around to make the first loop around the edge by sending the needle under the bottom layer and bringing it out on top in the exact place you started. Do not pull the loop shut.
3. Bring the needle through the loop and pull it tight.
4. Move down the seam about a 1/4 of an inch and send the needle through the bottom layer, up to the top.
5. Pull on the thread, but leave a small loop.
6. Bring the needle through the loop and pull it taut.
7. Repeat until your project is complete.
Whipstitch
This simple technique is made up of short, diagonal stitches and is great for hemming window treatments. When used on a hem, whipstitches are usually invisible, fast, and easy to execute.
1. Thread your needle and tie a knot in the end of the thread. Start your needle on the inside of the hem so the end knot is invisible. Bring the thread up to the top layer of fabric.
2. Move your needle forward about a half inch (shorter or longer depending on your project), loop it around the edge, and bring the needle up through the bottom side of the fabric.
3. Repeat until you complete your project.
Backstitch
This stitch is a small, very strong stitch that is great for sewing together seams that need lots of strength. You can also use this stitch for basic embroidery- it’s useful when embroidering typography or other illustrations for home decor.
1. Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Send the needle up to the top from the backside of the fabric to hide the end knot.
2. Send the needle back down into the fabric (following in a straight line) about a half inch from the first stitch. You’re essentially making a running stitch at this point.
3. Pull the thread taut from the underside of the fabric.
4. Bring the needle back up through to the top of the fabric, equidistant from the first stitch.
5. Instead of moving forward another half inch (as you would in a running stitch), bring your needle back to the left, and tag up with the end of the previous stitch.
6. Push the needle back down towards the underside of the fabric and pull it taut.
Don't be afraid to start!
Starting a new hand sewing project can be intimidating, but practice and fun should be the main goals when you start a new project. Some stitches will be easier than others at first, find what feels more comfortable for you!
There is a great number of people that do various types of stitching and that are eager to share their knowledge, find a friend with whom you can share your passion or find a Superprof tutor that can help you get started!
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